Chapter 5 The Naked Truth
The sun was slowly setting beyond the horizon, casting an eerie glow on the rooftops of houses and cars.
Kyo hesitated before knocking on the main door of her home. "Of all days to lose my wallet!" she thought to herself, running a hand through her long red hair.
Leon opened the door, and stared at her, obviously still fuming away from the morning incident. "Sorry, I lost my wallet." Said Kyo bluntly, her fist clenched, just in case he lunged out at her without warning.
"Come in," Leon said, stepping aside, and pressing his back flat against the door, so she could enter.
Kyo cautiously stepped into the home, sensing that something was not right. She had half expected Leon to blow his top at her, but instead he let her in without hesitation. There was definitely something fishy going on.
"I'll be up in my room if you need me," said Kyo, quickly darting up the stairs.
"Come back here! I didn't say you could go anywhere!" barked Leon in a malicious tone that made the hairs at the back of Kyo's neck stand.
Kyo slowly turned on her heel and walked back down the stairs, careful to stay at least a metre away from Leon.
"Good, at least you're obedient NOW." Said Leon, a malicious grin playing on his lips, his hands moving about in his pockets.
Kyo knew he was referring to that morning; she had defied his orders and ran off. "What do you want?" asked Kyo, trying to keep her knees from shaking.
"Nothing, I just thought we could get to know each other better." He said, shrugging and taking a few steps closer to her.
Kyo backed away until she felt her back hit the wall, "Someone help me," she muttered under her breath. She hastily looked around, for something to grab and throw at Leon, but she was standing in the middle of the hall, and she dared not even breathe let alone move.
Leon inched closer to her until, only one knee was in-between him and Kyo. "Now you're a cunning one aren't you? Showed me your true colours this morning, eh? Well, it's time you see mine." Leon hummed into her ear, as he slowly drew out a dagger from his pocket.
Kyo heard the clink of the dagger blade against Leon's belt buckle. Panic flooded her entire body, paralyzing her from head to toe. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" asked Kyo, her voice shaking madly.
"You got on my nerves ever since my mother brought you home that night. She favoured you more than me! You took my mother away from me!" shouted Leon angrily.
"Jealousy? Is this what its all about? You're jealous? So you want my life?" asked Kyo, looking at Leon in the eye.
"Yes," replied Leon sarcastically, pressing the dagger closer to Kyo stomach. But the moment she felt the blade touch her shirt, she darted sideways out of Leon's grasp.
Leon through the dagger at her, but she ducked and screamed as the dagger missed her head by inches, and hit the wall before falling to the floor with a "clink".
"Leave me alone! I'll leave here if you want me to!" begged Kyo, tears falling from her aqua blue eyes.
"Too late, girl! My mother's gone!" yelled Leon charging at Kyo with the dagger once more.
Kyo gave an earsplitting scream as she slipped sideways once more, but the dagger rubbed against her bandaged forearm, slicing through the bandages and leaving another gash.
Just then, the door hinges broke and the door came crashing to the floor with a loud "BANG!"
Athrun, Cagalli, Kira, Lacus, Dearka, Miriallia and Yzak stood by the door. Kyo picked herself up from the floor and ran toward Yzak, who was the nearest to her. He outstretched his arms to receive her, much to the surprise of the others.
It was not like Yzak to hug a girl; in fact, it was not like him even to hang around with girls!
"How dare you!" shouted Leon, staring at the bunch, as though they were household pests. Leon was shaking with anger, eyes filled with malice and the lust for revenge.
"I think the question should be how dare YOU! What do you think you're playing at!" said Kira fiercely.
"This girl has been a thorn in my side for 16 years! And I can tolerate her no longer! She took my mother away from me!" bellowed Leon; oblivious to the fact that Athrun had snuck behind him, intending to wrench the life-threatening dagger from his hand.
"Leon I swear I never took your mother from you! And its not that I wanted to come here! Your mother found me and took me in! And I'm grateful to her for that! She never spoke ill of you Leon, she was always telling me about how I should always respect and look up to you as an elder brother! She loved you as much as she loved me! But somehow, I just never managed to form a bond with you!" cried Kyo, tears leaking silently down her cheeks.
Athrun twisted Leon's hands behind his back, and took the dagger from him and tossed it aside. Leon fell to his knees, bringing Athrun down with him.
"This guy's mental," said Yzak still unknowingly holding Kyo close to him.
Lacus placed a hand on Kyo's shoulder, whispering soothing words to her redheaded friend. With a good twist, Leon threw Athrun off him, and made a grab for the dagger.
Leon plunged the dagger straight into his stomach, "NOOOOOOOOO!" screamed Kyo breaking free from Yzak's arms and running to her half brother's side.
"Why did you do that?" she asked propping his head up on her lap. "I never understood you, and I tortured you everyday. I deserve death for all my wrong doings. I'm sorry, Kyo." Leon said weakly, coughing up blood.
Kyo just broke down in tears again; Leon had never called her by her name until then. "People can be forgiven, Leon." Mumbled Kyo opening her eyes, to find that her brother had passed on.
The others watched silently as their friend bid her half brother goodbye. Miriallia stepped forward and put her arm around her friend. "People come and people go. The situation was beyond your control. But if you have really looked up to Leon, then take him as a blessing from God." Said Miriallia knowingly.
"I know, but why did he have to go so early?" asked Kyo softly, wiping the tears from her face with the back of her hand.
"Only God has control over these things. If it's God's will, then so be it," Said Lacus smartly, smiling gently down at Kyo.
"Kyo, why don't you stay with us?" suggested Athrun smartly, waiting for an answer from Kyo.
"Nah, I don't want to be a burden." Said Kyo, forcing a smile and bandaging her forearm once more with fresh bandages.
"Rest assured you won't, we'll be more than glad to have you with us." Said Cagalli grinning widely.
Kyo agreed, knowing that Leon's spirit might want some peace by himself in the house. Kyo had his body buried in the backyard, before she packed her things and moved in with the others.
"Come on, get some rest. I'm sure you're exhausted. We've got school tomorrow don't forget. There's English and Literature, so we'll be seeing Miss Jones and that scrawny Miss Snare again." Said Dearka smiling at Kyo.
"Yep, better recharge to face that evil woman again. She might just come looking for us, to ask why we didn't wait that day." Said Cagalli, shuddering at the thought and quickly dismissing it.
"I really don't know how to repay you guys," said Kyo gratefully, smiling gently, and unpacking her belongings.
"You don't have to, what are friends for?" asked Kira knowingly, patting his redheaded friend on the back.